Can You Reorder Videos in a YouTube Playlist?
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Yes. You can reorder videos in a YouTube playlist by dragging them into a new sequence. On a computer, open the playlist and drag a video or Short up or down. In the mobile app, open a playlist you can edit, then press and hold the handle beside an item and move it.
This changes the order inside that playlist, not the videos themselves. There is one important exception: YouTube says manual reordering is not available for a playlist that contains only Shorts.
On this page
- What changes when you reorder a playlist?
- How do you reorder a playlist on a computer?
- How do you reorder a playlist on a phone?
- What is temporary playlist reordering?
- Can you reorder a Shorts-only playlist?
- Does changing playlist order increase views?
- Frequently asked questions
What changes when you reorder a playlist?
The sequence of items in that playlist changes. If it is a playlist you manage, the new arrangement is saved for the playlist. It does not replace a video or change the video's upload date on your channel.
YouTube also lets a viewer drag items in the playlist panel on a watch page to change the playback sequence temporarily. That is different from editing the saved order for everyone who opens your playlist.
| Action | Where you do it | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Reorder the playlist | Open a playlist you can edit | The saved sequence of items in that playlist |
| Reorder during playback | Playlist panel on a watch page | The current playback sequence temporarily |
Use saved reordering when you want to arrange a series or place a particular video earlier in your own playlist. Use the watch-page panel when you only want to change what plays next for the current session.
How do you reorder a playlist on a computer?
Open the playlist and drag each item to its new position. YouTube's current desktop help describes these steps:
- Open the playlist you want to edit from your You tab or Guide.
- Move to the video or Short you want to move and click near its thumbnail.
- Hold the item, drag it up or down, and release it in the new position.
YouTube's Edit playlists help page covers reordering on a computer. The arrangement applies to the playlist you edited, so check the order on that playlist page after moving an item.
If you cannot move a video, first confirm you opened a playlist that you can edit. A saved playlist belonging to someone else is not the same as one you own or manage.
How do you reorder a playlist on a phone?
Use the drag handle beside an item in a playlist you can edit. YouTube's mobile instructions are:
- Open the YouTube app and go to your Library or playlist area.
- Select the playlist you want to change.
- Press and hold the two-line handle beside a video or Short.
- Drag it up or down, then release it in the new position.
The exact tab label can vary with the app version and device. YouTube's Android playlist instructions show the handle-and-drag method. The iPhone and iPad help page describes the same basic action.
What is temporary playlist reordering?
Temporary reordering changes the playback queue, not the playlist's saved arrangement. While watching a video from a playlist, open the playlist panel and drag an item up or down to change what plays next.
This is useful when you are watching someone else's playlist or only want a different sequence for the current session. To change the order people see when they open a playlist you manage, edit the playlist itself instead.
Can you reorder a Shorts-only playlist?
YouTube says manual reordering is not available for playlists that contain only YouTube Shorts. Its playlist help also notes that videos and Shorts can appear in a playlist, with filters for each type on supported surfaces.
If your playlist contains a mix of videos and Shorts, use the playlist controls and check whether the drag handle is available for the item you want to move. YouTube's help does not promise that every playlist type or account experience has identical controls.
Does changing playlist order increase views?
Reordering is an organization tool, not a documented view-growth guarantee. YouTube's help explains how to change a playlist sequence, but does not say that moving a video higher will increase its views or improve recommendations.
Arrange items to make the playlist easier to follow, such as putting an introduction before later lessons. To understand how YouTube counts video views, see our guide to what counts as a YouTube view. If you are considering a views or likes service, review the YouTube service details and its requirements first.
Frequently asked questions
Can you change the order of videos in a YouTube playlist?
Yes. Open a playlist you can edit, then drag videos or eligible Shorts up or down to set a new order.
Does reordering a playlist change the video upload date?
No. It changes the sequence inside that playlist; it does not replace the video or change its channel upload date.
Can you reorder videos in someone else's playlist?
You can temporarily change playback order in the watch-page playlist panel. Editing the saved playlist order requires access to manage that playlist.
Can you reorder a YouTube playlist on mobile?
Yes. YouTube's mobile instructions use a press-and-hold drag handle beside the item in a playlist you can edit.
Can you manually reorder a playlist made only of Shorts?
YouTube says manual reordering is not available for playlists that contain only Shorts.
Does moving a video to the top get it more views?
YouTube documents playlist reordering as an arrangement feature, not as a promise of more views or recommendation placement.
Bottom line
You can reorder items in a YouTube playlist you manage by dragging them up or down. On a watch page, dragging in the playlist panel only changes the playback order temporarily. YouTube does not support manual reordering for playlists made only of Shorts.
Arrange a playlist to make its sequence clear to viewers. If you are reviewing video engagement, start with the platform's own metrics and the current YouTube service details.
